Origin
Merrillville, IN
Evening in Merrillville on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Merrillville, IN to Gary, IN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
19m
Distance
9.3 mi
15 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 20m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Merrillville, IN
Choco Kitty
Gary, IN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through Northwest Indiana, this 9.3-mile trip from Merrillville to Gary is a straightforward local connection. You can expect to complete the drive in approximately 19 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day journey. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. Budgeting is simple for this short distance, as your fuel costs should hover around $1. Given the brevity of the trip, you do not need to worry about overnight logistics or complex planning. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense route for commuters or travelers moving between these two Indiana locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
4.6 miles from Merrillville, IN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway driving. You will navigate your way using Broadway, Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard, and West 45th Avenue to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 3.6-mile segment on Broadway, which keeps the pace consistent but requires your full attention at intersections. Since the entire route consists of local roads, you will get a direct, ground-level view of the transit corridors connecting these municipalities. Be prepared for frequent stops and turns, as the character of this road is defined by its urban, local nature.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Broadway is the longest continuous segment at about 3.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near SR 53 / Broadway.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (SR 53 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (West 45th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles (West 15th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
SR 53 / Broadway
At end of road, turn right onto SR 53 / Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
3.9 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
West 45th Avenue
Turn left onto West 45th Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
8.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
West 15th Avenue
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
8.9 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
Harrison Boulevard
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
Navigation decision point
4
9.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
10th Place
Turn right onto 10th Place
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway | 3.6 mi | 8m |
| Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| West 45th Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 15th Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Harrison Boulevard | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Indian Trail | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 10th Place | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Broadway
— 3.6 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merrillville, IN and Gary, IN.
1
Start on Indian Trail
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
Indian Trail
2
At end of road, turn right onto SR 53
3.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Broadway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto West 45th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 45th Avenue
4
Turn right onto Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard
5
Turn right onto West 15th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West 15th Avenue
6
Turn left onto Harrison Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrison Boulevard
7
Turn right onto 10th Place
254 ft
·
11 sec
·
10th Place
8
Arrive at destination
10th Place
Trip Plan
Because this drive is only 19 minutes long, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the short duration makes it easy to complete in one go. Keep in mind that since you are sticking to local roads, traffic patterns on Broadway and West 45th Avenue can fluctuate, so check your navigation app before heading out. Since this is a very short trip, prioritize checking your tire pressure and basic vehicle fluid levels before leaving Merrillville to ensure a trouble-free arrival in Gary. This route is all about convenience, so take advantage of the short travel time to maximize your day at your final destination.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 4.6 miles from Merrillville, IN, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 9.3 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.6 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gary, IN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Merrillville, IN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Merrillville, IN
This is one driving day of about 9.3 miles and 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Merrillville, IN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Broadway for about 3.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.6 mi from Merrillville, IN · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 9.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.6 miles from Merrillville, IN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gary, IN
The final approach into Gary, IN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gary, IN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.45 one way
$2.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $1.60 | $3.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $1.79 | $3.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.05 | $4.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.98 | $0.45 |
| Efficient EV | 2.3 | 0 | $0.81 | $0.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.7 | 0 | $1.30 | $0.60 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Gary, IN
Evening in Gary on Tuesday
Local time
5:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
19m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Merrillville, IN to Gary, IN covers 9.3 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Broadway, Richard G. Hatcher Boulevard, West 45th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.6 miles from Merrillville, IN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a straightforward 19m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (SR 53 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (West 45th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 8.4 miles (West 15th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Merrillville, IN to Gary, IN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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